A big event was held at the Crow’s Nest in Presque Isle on Friday night, where the Aroostook Friends of NRA held it’s 1st Annual Banquet. It’s an event that’s raising money to preserve the future of shooting sports as well as promoting youth and adult firearms safety. It was a full house with 400 people in attendance.

NRA Field Representative Brian Smith said, “Half of the money raised at this Friends of the NRA Banquet tonight will stay right here in Maine to fund the shooting sports for kids like Boy Scouts, 4H, youth shooting sports.”

The NRA Foundation awards grants to shooting sports throughout the country, and the funds raised on Friday night will support those that are right here in the County; such as the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club that’s looking to improve it’s shooting range.

The Chairman of Aroostook Friends of NRA David Bell said, “This events basically all about raising some money and having a good time, it’s gonna be a lot of fun we’ve got a lot of games a lot of raffles, we’ve got silent live auctions we’ve got 37 firearms that are going to be given away tonight, that are either going to be bought or won in games.”

There was a little bit of everything; from hand guns to rifles to shot guns. There’s over 14 hundred NRA Members in Aroostook County; which might explain why a banquet of this kind is of interest to many people.

NRA Field Representative Brian Smith said, “They want to support the 2nd amendment, and the mission of the NRA foundation which is to educate people, raise money for the shooting sports, getting kids involved in outdoor activities.”

But safety first- youth and adults firearms safety is also top priority of the NRA, that now has a presence here in the County.

If you couldn’t make it to Friday night’s event there’s still another event you can check out over the weekend. And that’s the Aroostook Shooters challenge at 8 Saturday morning morning at the Fort Fairfield Rifle and Pistol Club.